Israeli Hostage Abducted by Gazan Civilians on Oct 7th was Sold to into Hamas Captivity 

Israeli Hostage Abducted by Gazan Civilians on Oct 7^th was Sold to into Hamas Captivity 

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a harrowing recount of her ordeal, Nili Margalit, a 42-year-old Israeli nurse, recently spoke out about her abduction and subsequent captivity in Gaza. Margalit, who was captured during the Hamas led attack on southern Israel on October 7, has revealed that it was not Hamas but rather armed Palestinian civilians who initially took her from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, as was reported on Wednesday in the New York Post.  These civilians, wielding Kalashnikovs, forcibly entered her residence amidst the chaos of the attack, which included rocket alarms sounding off just before dawn.

According to Margalit’s detailed interview with the French magazine “Le Point“ these civilians negotiated her sale to Hamas, the Iranian backed terror group that controls Gaza. According to the information provided in the Post report, the transfer was conducted efficiently once the payment was made, with Margalit being immediately transported through the labyrinth of Hamas’ underground tunnels, a sophisticated and expansive network that has been a subject of much scrutiny and conflict over the years.

Margalit’s capture was part of a larger assault that resulted in 250 Israelis being taken to Gaza. The report in the Post indicated that she described a distressing scene at her home: attackers overturned her house, destroyed belongings, and even started a fire before pulling her from her hiding spot in an unlocked saferoom. She was then covered with a white sheet, placed on a golf cart, and quickly moved to the Gaza border. As was detailed in the Post report, from there, the handover to Hamas operatives took place, and she was subsequently taken to Khan Yunis—a city in southern Gaza. During her transfer, Margalit noted hearing cheers from crowds, indicating a level of public engagement or support for her captors’ actions.

Inside the tunnel network, Margalit first encountered a “reception room” where about 30 other hostages were also being held. According to the information contained in the Post report, this group included individuals from her own kibbutz, ranging from the elderly to children, illustrating the indiscriminate nature of the hostage-taking. The emotional toll of seeing familiar faces, including vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, in such dire circumstances was profound, the Post report added.

Margalit was later moved to a smaller, more confined space—a dormitory designed to house 10 hostages. In this cramped environment, where basic necessities were scarce to the extent of having only rice and bread for sustenance, the psychological challenge was immense, as was described in the Post report. The passage of time seemed to halt, marked only by the routine of minimal meals and the emotional highs and lows of the group.

Margalit found some solace in maintaining a routine, including practicing yoga and engaging with her fellow captives. As she described in the interview that she gave to the French publication, these activities became crucial for mental health, providing a semblance of normalcy and a way to physically cope with stress and anxiety, the Post report said.

The social dynamics in such a constrained setting varied widely, with moments of shouting, crying, and even laughter—emotions that Margalit described in the interview as natural reactions to the extreme stress of captivity, the Post report pointed out. Despite the hardships, there was a palpable sense of camaraderie and mutual support among the captives, which Margalit noted as key to maintaining psychological resilience.

Initially, Margalit harbored hopes that her captivity would be brief, possibly lasting only a couple of days. However, as days turned into weeks, the realization that Israel might not be able to secure the release of such a large number of hostages quickly sank in, the report stated. This understanding led to a significant emotional downturn among some hostages, as the grim reality of their situation became more apparent.

After enduring eight weeks of captivity, Margalit was freed as part of a negotiated release, facilitated through an agreement between Israel and Hamas, as was stated in the Post report. This harrowing experience has propelled her to embark on a European tour aimed at raising awareness and advocating for the release of the 133 Israelis who are still being held in Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Margalit’s account is not just a personal story but a stark reminder of the harsh conditions and psychological battles faced by hostages. Her reflections offer insight into the human capacity to adapt and support one another in extreme situations, as well as the complex political and humanitarian challenges involved in resolving such crises.